Hopscotch Play Guides

About

Summary: Grant learns to cope with his best friend Kofi moving away and finds happiness again.

Synopsis: Grant is devastated when his best friend Kofi moves away, feeling lonely and sad. Over time, he realizes that talking to a grown-up might help. With support, Grant learns it's okay to feel sad and begins to change his thoughts, focusing on happy memories and the possibility of making new friends. He starts enjoying activities again, spends time with other friends, and keeps in touch with Kofi. Grant understands that while it's okay to miss Kofi, new beginnings can bring happiness too.

Themes:  The story explores themes of grief, coping, resilience, and new beginnings. It emphasizes the importance of expressing emotions, seeking support from trusted adults, and changing negative thoughts to improve mood. The narrative also highlights the value of maintaining old friendships while being open to new relationships and experiences.

Using Grant's Goodbye in Session

Therapists can use "Grant’s Goodbye" to help children understand and process feelings of loss and change. Discussing Grant’s emotions and coping strategies can teach children the importance of expressing their feelings and seeking support. Role-playing conversations Grant had with his grown-up can help children practice talking about their feelings. The story also provides an opportunity to discuss positive thinking and the benefits of staying connected with old friends while making new ones.

Discussion Questions:
    1. How did Grant feel when Kofi moved away, and why?
    2. What emotions did Grant experience over the days following Kofi’s departure?
    3. Why did Grant decide to talk to a grown-up about his feelings?
    4. How did changing his thoughts help Grant feel better?
    5. What activities did Grant enjoy that helped him feel happier?
    6. How did staying in touch with Kofi make Grant feel?
    7. Can you think of a time when you felt sad about losing something or someone? How did you cope?
    8. Why is it important to remember good memories and stay positive during difficult times?

About

Description: My Feelings Face is an engaging game designed for children aged 4-8 to help them explore and express their emotions. This interactive game allows children to use drawing tools and various facial features, such as eyes and mouths to create faces that represent different feelings.  My Feelings Face has many therapeutic applications, such as feelings check-ins before sessions, emotional literacy development, self-awareness, empathy, and teaching social cues.

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Expressive Art, Feelings Identification, Feelings Exploration, Empathy and Understanding, Social Skills

Using My Feelings Face in Session

Discuss feelings

Prior to activities or games involving feelings, it can be helpful to explore the child's feelings vocabulary.  My Feelings Face has a library of stickers containing 20 different feelings words that you can explore and review with your clients. You can also ask them if there are any additional feeling words that they know that aren't included on the list. 

Discuss the activity

Depending on how you are using My Feelings Face, it is helpful to explain the activity to the client and discuss the objective of the feelings face creation.  Here are some ideas and prompts for use!

Feelings check-in: "Create a face that shows how you're feeling today."

Processing a past event: "Create a face that shows how you were feeling when that happened."

Empathy: Identify a situation involving another person. This could be a real scenario about a sibling or a friend, or it can be a character from a book or a movie. "Create a face that shows how that other person might have been feeling."

Social skills: Use feelings faces to teach your client about different social cues. Discuss how facial expressions can show how someone is feeling and how they can respond appropriately.  "Can you create a face that shows how someone might look if they're feeling ______? What are some things you notice about a person's face when they feel _____?" 

Guess the Feeling: Another way to use My Feelings Face is to play Guess the Feeling.  Either you or the client chooses a feeling word without telling the other person.  Then as you're creating a matching feelings face, the other person is trying to guess the word.  See who's the quickest at guessing! 

Using the features

To get started with My Feelings Face, your client can begin by choosing a skin and shirt color for their character by scrolling through the palette.

They can then use the drawing tools to draw hair, a nose, or any other element that they'd like to add to the character.

Time to add the facial features! Allow the client to browse through the vast library of eyes and mouth shapes that they believe best conveys the feeling they are trying to represent. With each shape, they can resize, move, and drop it anywhere they'd like.  They can also delete and choose one that they feel is more fitting.

Afterwards, you can choose to revisit the feelings stickers and your client can choose a word that they feel best matches the face that they've created. 

With My Feelings Face, you also have the ability to quickly clear the screen and start by selecting the Trash button, or you can select the Download button, and a PDF of the created feelings face will be ready for download.

Related Resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF version of My Feelings Face.  This can be used as a hands-on version of the game using the same interventions. 

With My Feelings Faces, children can creatively explore and articulate their emotions in a fun and interactive way. This game not only aids in emotional development but also enhances social skills and empathy. By incorporating My Feelings Faces into your sessions, you can provide a valuable tool for children to better understand and express their feelings, making emotional learning both enjoyable and impactful.

About

Summary: Francis overcomes his fear of Halloween by expressing his feelings to his friends.

Synopsis: Francis dreads Halloween and is anxious about attending Fright Night with his friends, who are excited about the spooky event. Despite his reluctance, he tries to fit in but ultimately confides in his dad about his fears. Encouraged by his dad, Francis opens up to his friends, who understand and accept his feelings. They reassure him that it's okay to be scared and respect his wish to skip Fright Night, strengthening their friendship and showing the importance of honesty and understanding.

Themes:  The story explores themes of fear, courage, honesty, and friendship. It highlights the importance of recognizing and expressing one's fears, the value of supportive and understanding friends, and the courage it takes to be honest about one's feelings. The narrative also emphasizes empathy and the acceptance of different comfort levels among friends.

Using Fright Night in Session

Therapists can use "Fright Night" to help children understand the importance of expressing their fears and being honest with their friends. Discussing Francis’s feelings and his eventual decision to talk to his friends can teach children about the value of open communication. Role-playing scenarios can help children practice expressing their fears and seeking support. The story also provides an opportunity to discuss empathy, understanding, and respecting others' boundaries.

Discussion Questions:
    1. How did Francis feel about Halloween and why?
    2. What did Francis do when he felt scared about Fright Night?
    3. How did Francis’s dad help him with his fear?
    4. Why is it important to talk about your fears with friends?
    5. How did Francis’s friends react when he told them about his feelings?
    6. Can you think of a time when you were scared to tell someone how you felt? What happened?
    7. How can you be a good friend to someone who is scared or anxious?
    8. Why is it important to respect other people's feelings and boundaries?

About

Summary: Rowan learns about friendship and promises after being disappointed by her friend Grant.

Synopsis: On a sunny day at the playground, Rowan and her friends, Sammie and Grant, decide to try skateboarding. Despite initial nervousness, Rowan and Sammie have fun learning. Grant promises to give Rowan lessons but forgets twice, leaving Rowan disappointed. Sammie cheers Rowan up with her new skateboard, and they practice together. When Grant finally arrives, Rowan calmly expresses her feelings, and Grant apologizes. They all reconcile and enjoy skateboarding together, strengthening their friendship.

Themes:  The story explores themes of friendship, disappointment, communication, and forgiveness. It highlights the importance of keeping promises and how breaking them can affect relationships. The narrative also emphasizes the value of expressing feelings calmly and respectfully, and how genuine apologies and understanding can mend hurt feelings and strengthen bonds.

Using Skateboard Buddies in Session

Therapists can use "Skateboard Buddies" to help children understand the impact of their actions on others and the importance of keeping promises. Discussing Rowan's feelings and her approach to addressing disappointment can teach children how to communicate their emotions effectively. Role-playing scenarios from the story can help children practice expressing their feelings and apologizing sincerely. The story also provides an opportunity to discuss problem-solving and finding alternative ways to have fun when plans change unexpectedly.

Discussion Questions:
    1. How did Rowan feel when Grant forgot about their skateboarding lessons?
    2. Why is it important to keep promises?
    3. How did Rowan express her feelings to Grant, and why was this a good way to handle the situation?
    4. How did Sammie help Rowan when she was feeling disappointed?
    5. Can you think of a time when you felt disappointed by a friend? How did you handle it?
    6. What can you do if a friend breaks a promise to you?
    7. How did Grant's apology help to resolve the situation?
    8. Why is it important to express your feelings calmly and respectfully?

About

Summary: Leila feels nervous about her first day of school, but learns to manage her anxiety with the help of her sister and a kind teacher.

Synopsis: Leila experiences anxiety about starting school again after a fun summer. Her sister Tammy notices her discomfort and explains the concept of "back-to-school butterflies," helping Leila recognize her worries. At school, a kind teacher named Mrs. Tuttleston reassures her, and Leila makes a new friend, Amari, who also feels nervous. By the end of the day, Leila learns to manage her anxiety and finds joy in new friendships and experiences.

Themes:  The story explores themes of anxiety, coping strategies, empathy, and resilience. It highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing feelings of worry, using mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, and finding support through social connections. The narrative also emphasizes the value of kindness and understanding in easing transitions and building new relationships.

Using Back to School Butterflies in Session

Therapists can use "Back to School Butterflies" to help children identify and express their feelings of anxiety. By discussing Leila’s experiences, children can relate their own worries and learn to recognize similar emotions in themselves. The story introduces coping strategies, such as deep breathing, which therapists can practice with children to help them manage their anxiety. Additionally, role-playing scenarios based on the story can help children rehearse calming techniques in a safe environment. The narrative also fosters empathy, as children see how Leila and Amari support each other, encouraging discussions about how they can support friends who feel nervous or scared.

Discussion Questions:
1. How did Leila feel about going back to school, and why?
2. What are "back-to-school butterflies," and have you ever felt them?
3. How did Tammy help Leila feel better about her first day?
4. What did Leila do when she felt nervous in the classroom?
5. How did meeting Amari help Leila feel less anxious?
6. Why is it important to talk about your worries with someone you trust?
7. Can you think of a time when you felt nervous like Leila? What helped you feel better?
8. What are some ways you can help a friend who is feeling nervous or scared?

About

Description: Feelings with Captain Francis is an engaging narrated click-through activity designed to help kids explore and understand their emotions. Featuring 16 feelings words, each with kid-friendly definitions and themed examples, this activity supports emotional literacy and self-awareness. By learning about different emotions and how to identify them, children can better express themselves and navigate their feelings. This tool is particularly helpful in therapy, as it provides a fun and interactive way for kids to discuss and process their emotions, fostering healthy emotional development and communication skills.

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Feelings Identification, Social Awareness, Feelings Exploration, Empathy and Understanding

Using Feelings with Captain Francis in Session

Discuss feelings

Begin by introducing the activity to the child. Explain that "Feelings with Captain Francis" is a fun and interactive way to learn about different emotions. Tell them that Captain Francis will guide them through various feelings, teaching them what each one means and how to recognize it in themselves and others. Emphasize that understanding these emotions can help them better express themselves and handle their feelings.

Starting the activity

Launch the activity and navigate through the initial screens with the child.  Allow them to get acquainted with Captain Francis and the layout of the activity. Explain how they will click through different sections to learn about each emotion. Make sure they understand how to interact with the activity.  Your client can move forward and back by clicking the left and right arrows.  This allows them to navigate through the activity on their own.   

Each page includes a feelings description, definition, and example.

Exploring feelings words
Guide the child through the 16 feelings words presented in the activity. For each word, read the definition aloud and discuss the example provided. Encourage the child to share their own experiences related to each feeling. Ask open-ended questions like, "Have you ever felt this way?" or "What happened when you felt like this?" This helps the child connect the feelings to their own life and deepen their understanding.

This activity can also be used to explore social cues such as body language and facial expressions.  Ask the child how they might know a character is feeling the way that they are.

Wrapping up
After completing the activity, take some time to reflect on what the child has learned. Discuss which feelings were new to them and which ones they already knew. Ask questions to prompt further reflection, such as "Which feeling did you find the most interesting?" or "Can you remember a recent time when you felt one of these emotions?"

Help the child apply their new knowledge to real-life situations. Discuss how they can use what they've learned to express their feelings more clearly and understand others better. Role-play different scenarios where they might need to recognize or express an emotion. 

Related resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF that contains the 16 different feelings words learned from the activity.